Pickin' Stitches

[rawhidebystretch]

is there a fast/easy way to pick stitches on sole welts? i know how to do all the mechanics of boot repair, but have not had any teachers that could teach me the ins and outs. with these double row sole welts these days, a fella gets tired of pickin' em one at a time. any tips? thanks a million.

Edited January 28, 2011 by rawhidebystretch

[TwinOaks]

Run a stitch groover on one side to cut them, then a gum eraser on the other side to pull them. It may not get them all, but it'll definitely speed you up.

[rickybobby]

is there a fast/easy way to pick stitches on sole welts? i know how to do all the mechanics of boot repair, but have not had any teachers that could teach me the ins and outs. with these double row sole welts these days, a fella gets tired of pickin' em one at a time. any tips? thanks a million.

Hi,

We installed a "stitch picker wheel" on a one horse motor with an arbor attatched. There was some grinding needed for one bolt so it would fit inside the picker opening. The slower the motor moves the better it works. After cutting the soles off lightly sand the underside of the welt being careful not to hit welt stitches! Then use the picker, it will remove 80% to 90% of them. Sometimes it will remove them all, that is a good day!!

The picker can be bought from Southern Leather in Denver or maybe most shoe supply sources. I think it was about $13.50 The arbor was $18.00 and the motor was out of a old desert cooler (1750 rpm's) It needs to run slower so install a speed reducer on the cord from a fan to slow it.

I have used it on boots and saddle skirts! Makes both a quicker job!!

Ask for the 1/2inch opening for the picker and the arbor

Rick

Edited January 29, 2011 by rickybobby

[rawhidebystretch]

thanks folks....i knew there had to be a way other than usin' an awl to get each one.

[Leatherimages]

is there a fast/easy way to pick stitches on sole welts? i know how to do all the mechanics of boot repair, but have not had any teachers that could teach me the ins and outs. with these double row sole welts these days, a fella gets tired of pickin' em one at a time. any tips? thanks a million.

First off, I think you need to be commended for caring enough to pick them at all. You should see the local stuff!

Depending on the wax in the wax pot of the stitcher, or the placement of the lock on the stitcher, even with a picker attachment, problems can still be encountered pickin' stitches.

I've found it very helpful to use cement thinner to loosen things up so it's easier to get the job done. I use a dauber to control where the thinner is going. Sometimes I'll wet the welt with it before I cut the sole off. This will make it easier to cut it off, as well as pick stitches.

Other times, on brands of boots I know are just rubber cemented on, I'll cut the sole free, sand the bottom of the welt, being careful as Rick cautions, and apply the thinner. Then the stitches will usually just fly off of the welt with the picker. Lexol or some other conditioner ought to be used to freshen up the welt when you're done.

Something I've tried with those double stitched soles, is to cut the sole loose, pick only the outer row, and stitch only that row, leaving the inside row untouched. Easier said than done, but sometimes it works ok.

But I've also found that if you stay in business in one place long enough to get to see the same boots repeatedly over the years, that you'll save alot of work for yourself, by placing your lock high enough in the sole leather so that it doesn't get worn off. Adjust your tensions to position the lock so that by just sanding the sole enough to break the bottom thread, you'll leave the lock in the sole leather. Then use the thinner, letting it set for a bit. Now you can lift the stitches off of your welt in one piece. You just stick your awl under one of the heather looking stitches and pick the thread up off of the welt. I've found better success with this approach using the synthetic 6 1/2 cord thread. Try it. You'll like it.